Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, occurs when the pressure in the blood vessels reaches 140/90 mmHg or higher. Readings below 120/80 mmHg are considered normal. This condition is a major cause of premature death worldwide, including in Nigeria, yet many individuals remain unaware of it because they are not diagnosed and therefore untreated. Because high blood pressure often produces no noticeable symptoms, the only reliable way to detect it is through regular blood‑pressure checks.
Studies indicate that about 40 percent of Nigeria’s population—over 80 million people—live with hypertension, with prevalence notably higher in urban areas. Several factors increase the risk of developing high blood pressure: age over 65 years, a family history of hypertension, and being overweight or obese (a Body Mass Index of 25.0 to 29.9).
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